Resilient wheel



M. T. WESTON.

RESILIENT WHEEL.

APPLICATION HLED JULY 3.1919.

1fi81fi1 v Patented Oct. 1M), 1922.

a SHEETEET 1.

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ATORNEVS M. T. WESTON.

RESIILIENT WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 3.1919.

Patented Oct M), 1922., 6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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. l/l/l/EAITOR WITNESSES M. T. WESTON. EEEEEEEEEEEEE L.

APPLICATION LED JULY 3,1919. LMLMUD Patented. Oct. w, 1922..

6 EEEEEEEEEEEE 3.

M. T. WESTON. RESILIENT WHEEL.

I I APPLICATION FILED J ULY 3.19I9. RALBWn Patented 001: 1%,]19'22.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

M. T. WESTON.

RESILIENT WHEEL. APPLICATION FILED JULY 3,1919.

l al JFI E lilFFla FIE-lip M. T. WESTON.

RESlLIENT WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 3.1919.

1 A31 10, a Patented Oct. 10, 1922.,

Tiqil.

ll atented lb, ltlQilQl.

tlltl lliiii a 'ivrirrroN r. wnsroN, or New YORK, N. Y.

iansImnN'r WHEEL.

Application filed July 3, 1919. Serial No. 308,578.

To all whom itmay 0012 cam.

Be it known that I, MILTON T. iVns'roN, a citizen or the United States,residing at New York, county and State of New Yorlnhave invented certainnew and useful Improve ments in Resilient Wheels, of which the folawheelcan be very greatly increased without correspondingly increasing thesize of the wheel or tension of the resilient means i which may beemployed for absorbing the jars and shocks within the wheel itself. Inapplying; the principles of this invention to a wheel by means of apneumatic tube, it becomes possible to provide a truck wheel of a givenload carrying capacity in whir zh the size of the pneumatic tube, thequantity of air contained therein, and the pressure of the air can begreatly reduced as compared to any of the pneumatic tube truck wheels incommon use at the present time. It is common practice at the present dayto provide truck wheels with pneumatic tires of very large tubulardiameter which to withstand the heavy loads to which they are subjected,are commonlyfilled with air under a pressure of 120 to 150 lbs. persquare inch. In

consequence of their huge sizes and the heavy loads under which theyoperate. these tires are peculiarly susceptible to injury when they aremet. by sharp cornered rocks other rupturing agencies. The high initialcost of these enormous tires is moreover a very considerable factor inthecost of transportation. According to the present invention, thesedifficulties are largely it not entirely overcome by subjecting the airin the pneumatic tube to a pressure ranging from 60 to 80 lbs. persquare inch, the: tube having certain portions flattened in such a wayas to provide greatly increasedefi'ective pressure areas which are madeavailable for counteracting the relative movements be tween the axlecontacting and tread units of the wheel. Not only is the pneumatic tubeprotected from the rupturing elements met with on a rough road, but thecushioning action produces only a directnoi-mal pres wheel according towhlch the pressure shoes sure on the wall oi? the pneumatic tube. Thisholds true for relative angular movements between the wheel units aswell as movements into eccentric relation.

This invention also relates to resilient wheels. which embody relativelymovable hub and tread units of the type shown in my copendingapplication Serial Number 274,024: which was filed January- 30th, 1919.One of the objects of the present invention is to in crease the leveragewhereby the pressure of the pneumatic tube is made to counteractthedeparture from concentric position of the Wheel units shown in saidapplication. In

some respects the invention exemplified in the hereinafter describedWheel, contemplates a development of the subject matter shown anddescribed in Patent Number- 1,289,586, granted to me on December 31st,

1918, as well as that shown and described in the above identifiedapplication. In. other aspects, the present invention contemplatescertain principles which may be advan' tageouslyapplied to various typesof resilient wheels. One of the objects of the present inv vention is toprovide a pneumatic tube of improved construction winch wlll be adaptedto absorb all the shocks and jars or such part housing a flattenedpneumatic tube in such a way as togreatly increase the total eli'ecthepressure areas which areinade available for cushioning the'relativemovements between-the wheel units. According to the above identifiedapplication, a flexible band was interposed between the inner peripheryof the pneumatic tube and a circularly disposed series of caps or anchorshoesand pressure shoes, said caps being mounted on pins or postscarried by the tread unit. while the pressure shoes were pivotallyconnected to the link and lever connections between said units.According; to the present invention, this flexible band may beconstructed to include rigid. pressure plates arranged intermediately tothe anchor plates or shoes with interposed sections of link or chainbelts which are preferably made up in such a way as to be inflexible ina direction transverse to the'central plane of the -wheel.-

A modified construction of the resilient are anchored to the fixed posts12, only by means of their direct attachments to the outer tube or shoeof the pneumatic tube, is shown and described in my copendingapplication Serial No. 560,324, filed May 12th, 1922, claims to suchmodified construction having been cancelled from the present applicationunder a requirement for division. Certain improvements in constructionformerly shown in the present application in connection with the outerperiphery of the shoe ofthe double pneumatic shoe, have been continuedin an improved form in my c opending application Serial No. 560,325,filed May 12th, 1922.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a lever and linkmechanism of improved construction whereby the relative movementsbetween axle and tread units are cusliioned'or resiliently counteractedby elements which apply their pressure to the wall of the pneumatic tubeonly in a direction normal thereto.

Another object of the-invention is to provide an improved constructionand arrange ment of parts in the tread unit of a resilient wheel of thecharacter shown and described in my above identified application. Otherobjects of invention will appear in the specification and be pointed outin the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawingswhich exemplify my invention' in a preferred embodiment and in whichFigure l is an axial section of a resilient Wheel constructed inaccordance with 'the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the interior mechanism of the wheel withthe tread units in concentric relation, parts being broken away andparts shown in section;

Figure 3 is an outline side elevation of the same showing the relationsof the parts when the units are in eccentric relation due to a deflatedinner tube;

Figure 1 is a side elevation transverse to the axis, showing therelative positions of the parts with the pneumatic tube collapsed;

Figure 5 is a plan view from the outside of a portion ofthe flexibleband;

Figure 6 is an inside plan view of one of the pressure plates or shoes;

'Figure 7 is a section on the line 77, Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a section on the line 38, Fig ure 5;

Figure 9 is a section on the line 99, F igure 8;

Figure 10 is a plan development of one embodiment of the pneumaticcushion, parts being broken away and parts shown in section; v

Figure 11. is a-perspective view of a packing ring or filler upon whichis seated the outer periphery of the pneumatic tube and by means ofwhich the llattcned incrcaseil effective pressure areas of the tube areinset relatively to the anchored portions of said tube;

Figure 12-is a plan view of a link and lover connection detached, partsbeing broken away;

Figure 13 is a side elevation of the same;

Figure 1a. is a plan view of one pair of links in extended positions;

Figure 15 is a side elevation of the ventilating cap, parts being brokenaway;

Figure 1G is a fragmentary side elevation of a preferred embodimentol:1. ventilating packing element or filler;

Figure 17 is a transverse section through the rim of a modification.

Referring more especially to Figures .1, J, 3 and 4t of the drawings,the tllllJOtllllltllt of my invention shown therein, inchules a hub oraxle contacting unit having bracket arms 1 preferably provided withcoaxially arranged bearings in each of said arms. liv-- otally mountednear the. outer end ol each of said bracket arms, is a pair of links 2which have their outer ends pivotally connected by pins 3 with bentlevers 1 which are pivotallv mounted, preferably in pairs, on a treadunit. This tread unit, according to Figure 1, comprises a rim 5, a tire(3 (these parts being preferably stock articles from an automobilesupply house), and other elements which are now to be described andwhich constitute a departure from the present known state of the art.lflxtcnding around the inner periphery of the rim 5 and secured theretois a cylindrical band T which is provided with an inwardly presentedflange S on one side and a flange t) on the other side which is spacedinwardly from the rim 5. According to this embodiment of my invention, aplurality of inwardly presented brackets 10 are arranged in theperipheral corner formed between the v lindrical band 7 and tlange 6.said brackets being rigidly secured to both the cylimlrical band 7 andflange :4. Each of the brackets 10 is provided with a bearing boss llinto which a hollow journal pin 12 is driven by hydraulic pressure. Asshown in Figure 1 one end of the hollow journal 12 is swaged over on tothe circulnadjacent portions of the bearing boss 11. A small steel disk13 may at the same time be swagcd into the end of said hollow bearingpin to seal the .1.

end of the tube. Journalled uponv the hollow journal pin 12 are thedivided hub portions 14 of each pair of bent levers 4-, the spaced hubportions of each of said levers being disposed to straddle one of thehub portions of the other bent lever. A. roller or Washer 15 which islarger in diameter than the hubs 14L of levers 1, is interposed be tweenthe two inner hub portions 14: for providing a desirable amount ofclearance. for

llltl lit) said hubs 1.4. These parts are retained in position by meansof a nut 16 which is threaded on to the other end 01 each hollow journalpin 12, a washer 17 being interposed tion 14. Referring now to l igure's12 and 13, 1t \vlll be seen thateach of the bent levers 4: is providedwlth an angularly disposed arm or extension comprising three laterallyspaced branches 18 which carry a pin 19 on which spaced rolls 20 arejournalled. In view of the fact that the pin 8 which connects each link2 to one of the levers 41, is arranged intermediately of the fulcrum 12and pressure rollers 20 of said lever it will be understood that theellective pressure of the pneuniatictube will operate on a greaterleverage than the stress delivered to the lever l by link 2. In Figures12 and 13 link 2and lever l are shown in extreme angular displacementwith respect to each other, the normal operating position oi link 2 withrespect to lever lbeing indicated in dotted lines in Figure 13. Theinner split hubs 21 of each pair of links 2, are journalled on a pin 22mounted in the laterally spaced branches of each; radial arm 1. As seenin Figures 1, 12, and 141-, the following parts are symmetricallydisposed with respect to the centralplane of the wheel in such a wayasto evenly distribute loads, stresses, and masses sustained by orembodied in the sev- "eral parts. Rolls 20 are equally distant fromandon oppositesides of said plane. lhe masses of the coaxiallyjournalled hub portions of each pair of links are equalized with respectto said plane. The masses ot the coarially disposed hub pertions oi?each pair of bent levers are equalized-with respect to said plane.Finally the mass ct each link i and bent lever connected thereto whenconsidered as a unit, is equalized with respect to said plane. It willbe understood. from this description that the bent levers of each pairproject in. UPPOSltB directions from their common axis about which tl'icswing. It. will :l'urtherinore be apparent "from Figure 2 that two pairsct rolls are brought into juxtaposition to operate upon a pressure plateor shoe 23 whichis common to these rolls. For this purpose, each ofthese pressure plates or shoes, is provided with spaced tracks orsurfaces 24 on their inner walls. The outer walls of said pressureplates or shoes are provided with lugs 25 which fit into sockets 26formed in the outer tube orishoe 27 of the pneumatic tube (see Fig; urescrews or studs 28 which may be tin-ended thereinto and provided withlarge heads which serve to clamp the pneumatic shoeto "the pressureplate or shoe. i The pressureplates or shoes 23 are at: ranged in theangular spaces between the pins 12 upon which the levers 4; arejourbetween said nut and the adj acent hub por' Said lugs 25 are adaptedto receive called. 1 As shown inl igures 2 and 5, each rollers orwashers 15 as described. above (see Figure 1). ()ne of these anchorplates is shown in Figures 8 and 9, it being provided with lugs adaptedto lit into sockets in the. pneumatic shoe 27 and tobe secured theretoby means of the screws or studs 36 in a manner similar to that forsecuring the pressure shoes or plates 23. Within the pneumatic shoe 27is an inner tube 37 provided on opposite walls thereoi with pairs oiresilient padsor cushions 38 which are arranged in radial alineinentwith the pressure plates or shoes The pads or cushions are adapted tocooperate in consecutive pairs in cushioning the relative inoveinentsbetween the axle and tread units of the wheel when there is no airpressure in the inner tube. For this purpose and with a view toobviating as far as possible the undesirable results due to the relativemovements between adjacent portions of the wall of the pneumatic tube, 1have found it very advantageous to provide suit-able means for retainingthe pressure area sections oi the pneumatic in soinewhat the form cl?axially flattened chords in which the pressure clement portions of thepneumatic cushions are held in substantial parallelism. By this meansthe side walls of these portions cat the pneumatic tube are largelyfreed from circumferential curvature within the plane of the wheel. (seeFigure 2) the curvature therein being substantially confinedtothelateral walls or the tube in planes passing throughthe aXisof thewheel and transversely intersecting the pneumatic tube such for example,as shown in the upper half of Figure 1.. This object may beaccomplished. by the device shown dctachml and iii-perspective in Figure11 and in positionin Figure 2 and other figures oi the drawing. itsshown in Figure 11, this device consists oi" airing-like structure 39 ofwood or other suitable material having its outer periphery suitablyformed to lit the inner wall of? the band or plate 7 and pro-- videdwith notches 40 which accommodate the journal holding brackets 10 (seeFigure 1); The inner periphery of said packing ring); or filler isletermined bythe amount of inward radial displacement with which it isdesired to present the outer pads or cushions 38 with respect to theinner pads or cushions. lin this coi'inection, Figure 10 shows indevelopment, a term of pneumatic tube which has been derived from anextended series of trials and experimental use.

".lhis. pneumatic tube which couugrises the -outer rim andflange S ofthe band outer shoe 27 and the inner tube 37, is composed of alternatelyarranged anchor and increased pressure area deflection sections, each ofthe anchor sections 2" being nar rower in width and of less radial depththan each of the increased pressure area sections .li cross section ot.the former is shown at the bottom of Figure 1. A cross section of thelatter is shown at the top of Figure 1. ll hile the packing ring orliller 39 shown in Figure 11 is adapted. to sustain the pneumatic tubein such a way as to presentincreased ellective pressure areas oppositeto the pressure shoes or plates which interact between the link andlever mechanism and the inner periphery of the pneumatic tube, ithasbeen found desirable, it not essential, to provide some means forcooling the parts surrounding the pneumatic tube and between it and therim of the wheel. F or this-purpose, in place of the solid packing orfilling shown in Figure 11, it is preferable to employ a skeletonizedform for the same such as that shown in Figure 16 according to which aband all of sheetmetal is provided with a series of corrugations ordouble transverse bends to term ribs or supports 42 of varying lengthsto correspoinl to the amounts Of displacementapplied to diilerentportions of the pneumatic tube.

Figure 16 displays this construction throughout the angular intervalbetween two adjacent anchoring points or journal pins 12. From thisfigure, it will be noted that an air cooled space is provided throughoutthe entire periphery of the pneumatic tube, said air sp ce being largestadjacent the points at which the link and lever system applies pressure.Referring now to Figure l, a packing a3 is arranged in the peripheralrecessbetwee n the it flat annular plate 4A has-its peripheral edgepressed against the packing 43 and is secured in position by spotwelding, or other suitable means to the flange 8, a ring 415 beinginterposed between said plate 4-4; and the flange 8. The inner edge ofring 45 is provided with a flange l6 which {its over the innerperipheral edge'o'f the flange 8. The annular plate M is provided aroundits inner peripheral edge with radially spaced flanges l? which serve toseat an annular packing strip 48. A brake drum 49 carries an annularflange 50 which is bolted to the spider 1 through an interposed ring 51.Packing 4E8 bears against said flange 50 of the brake drum 4L9. On theopposite face of the wheel, a cover plate 52 is in lateral abutment withthe inset flange 9 of band 7 and is carried by an annulus 53 to which itmay be secured in any suitable manner. Said. annulus has its outerperipheral I edge seated on the inset flange 9 and is removable with thecover plate 52 to permit access to the interior ol' the wheel. 'lhannular recess formed betwecn the rim ii iiiset flange 9 and theperipheral edge ol' cover 52, is prov ded with a pacl-zing E). A shorttube 54; containing an air valve extends through the annulus as. saidtube being anchored within one of the anchored portions of the pneumatictube and provided with a removable cap 55 on its outer cud. In themodification snown in l igg urc l7, the tire 56 is mounted in a rim 57.Within the rim 5? is disposed at c \,'lindrical band 55 provded withinset lateral edges fill and (i Projecting radially inward from thelateral inset portion (30 of the band as, are bcariim; b 'acliets (31which may consist ol, integral portions of the metal composing the baudCoaxially alincd with the bearing brackets 61 are op iiositely arrangedbearing blLLCIdl'S 62 which may be secured in any suitable manner to athat annulus (33 which abuts laterally against the lateral inset portion59 ot the band Ii sheet metal wall 64 may be secured to the outer face oii annulus 63 in a similar manner. lins or j()lll'- nals or, upon whichlevers for operating upon the inner periphery of the pneumatic tube maybe journallcd, are secured in the bracket bearings (31. and (32 by meansol' nuts 66 which are threaded on to the ends of pins or journals 65. Aren'iovable sheet metal cover (57 is retained in position by means 0tnuts 68 on the ends of bolts (39 which are riveted to the inset lateraledge portion 60.

From an ins 'iection of Figure 2 ol' the drawings it will be understoodthat the resilient pressure of the pneumatic tube is tansniitted to thelovers 41; through anti- ;iriction roll." :20 which makes the action onsaid tube a direct radial lorce. i\s the prcs sure of the pcnumatic tubeis made cll'octive on the outer ends oi the lovers l while thc loadstresses transmitted by links 2 to said lovers are applied with a muchshorter leverage to the pivotal connections il. a lower pressure ol airmay be used in the pneumatic tube than would be required by applying theresilient pressure to the pivotal connections as shown and described inmy above identified application. It will therei ore be understood thatnot only is a given pressure of air in the pneumatic tube made effectiveover a greatly enlarged area, but that these larger ellcctive pressureareas due to the flattened sections 27" ot the pneumatic tube, willoperate under an increased leverage. The following considerations willmake the advantages of this construction obvious. At the present time itis common practice to limit the speed of heavly loaded trucks to .12miles per hour when they are provided with solid rubber tires. Thislimitation is necessitated on country roads to avoid undue destruction.in

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ear cargo; To overcome these diffioultiesg :l, d awhaclis, pneumatictires have been substituted for solid tires, but only by a greatincrease the tubular diameters of these tires as Well as oi the pressureoi the a1r used therein.

Not uncommonly, pres "sure as high as 150 lbs. per square inch has beenused 1n such tires man effort to ie Vent the kneading eife ctsupontireswhich have ncreased enormously n cost duefto increased amount ofmaterial which goes into their manufacture; Moreover, the

i greatly increased size of the pneumatic ti.re,'makes it more liable tostrike obstructions or rough corners and lessens its power of res st ng1n]ury tromsuch causes. To

overcome these difiicultles the present 111- vention contemplates ahidden pneumatic tube" of relatively small size which is per-- nanentlyflattened to provide an increased pressurearea in place of an increasedpressure of air, and the application of thetotal pressure derived fromsuch increased area to a relatively large leverage for coun teractingload stresses impressed on a relatively small leverage. ln flatteningthetube to increase the available air pressure, itvvill be obvious that thetube will occupy less room radially than, a round tube, a feature whichrenders the present invention more readily adaptable to a truck; Wheel.

According to the embodiment of my inventionshown n Figures 1 to 20nclusive, the pneumatictube 1s flattened throughout its v D ncircumierence although it varies in wldth at jpoints as wellas in radialdeptln In this connection a band is interposed between the pneumatictube and the several pressure platesor shoes 23, said hand beingradially flexible but transversely inflexible. l ncluded in thisband andextending across the intervals between the anchoring plates or shoes 34:and pressure plates or shoes 23, are i acrt anchor and pressure shoes,these sections of the tuhe boring permitted to yield radially .tionutoavoid the compmuul [lexures v :uterv ale.

thelink belt or chain link sections 33 of which thepintles83-extendthroughout the ivi clth of the flattened tuhc. By means o1: hisconstruction, the inner periphery of th pneumatic tube is prevented frombulging as the intervals extending betgteen the hut sum'uiu'ted elly ina transverse d would otherwi eoccur over th A collapse ohthe pneumaltubev is pro vided For by the resilient cu; iionsorpads 88 which arearranged in oppostd pairs 111' radial alineincnt with the pressureplates or shoes 23 and NVlllClllLS shown in Figure a: are adapted tocushlon the relative movea ments between the axle andtread unitsfas thewheel rolls onp' Means for su tably supporting the outer series of thesepads for the purpose of reducing the radial play between. the paired,pads or cushlons are provided by the packing block or filler shown inFigure 11 which however to at i'ord proper ventilation or QOQlIIIg,ispreferaloly made in the skeletonizedform shown in l igure 16 whichpermits the cooling air to pass'jaround the pneumatic tube and be: tweenit and the cylindrical band 7. The air which thus cools the heated tubeand surrounding parts is agitated in the interior of the Wheel by meansof therelative movements between the Wheel units As shown in Figure 1the annular cavity Within which the tube and, parts operating thereon,are disposed, is in open communication with the atmosphere by means ofports or openings in an inner Wall and similar ports or opening 81 inanouter Wall or cap 82 at the hub offthe Wheel; In order to prevent theadmissionof water to the interior space of the wheel, an intermediateWall or partition 83 is provided with a central opening 84 which makesan indirect passageway between the portsor openings 80 and 81. the sametime the intermediate wall or partition 83 forms a water" traphetweenvit and the ou ter wall otthe cup so that any Water Which becomesen trapped therein may drain therefrom by means of thoseports oropenings Slwhich may be below the axis of the Wheel. The advantagesofthe peculiar form of pneumatic tube which is preferably employed,

are obvious. Large bodies of air are provided at those pointsat whichthe relative movements of the] Wheel units are cushioned." Between thesepoints the pressures are equalized by way of the contracted openingsaround the anchor plates or shoes, the circulation of the air within andwithout thepneumatictubeserving for an efiicient and rapid dissipationof the heat created in the wheel. It will be observed from an inspectionofFigure 1 thatby removing the a cover plate 52 with its attached ring53, the

pneumatic tuhef when deflated may be readily placed I claim: 1 Lil hWheel comprising axle and tread units, a series of levers pivoted to oneof said units, links pivotally connecting the. respecti ve levers "Withtheother unit, a pneuin position or removed thereol.

matic tube suitably disposed to oppose the movement of said 10 vers dueto relative dis-- means for movably anchoring said pressure plates toone oi said un ts. V

A wheel comprising axle and trend units a series of levers iivoted toone ot said units, links pivotally connecting the respective levers withthe other unit, a pneumatic tube suitably disposed to oppose themovement of sand levers due to relative displacement of said units,pressure plates infterposed between sa1d pneumatic tube and the bearingportions of said levers, and means for anchoring'sald pressure plates atpoints'adjaeent the pivotal axes of said levers 4. A wheel comprisingaxle" and tread units, means for moyably connecting said units,resilient means operating on said connecting means for resistingrelative move ment between said units, peripherally spacedpressure'plates interposed between said resilient means and saidconnecting means and means for anchoring said pressure plates.

5,. In a resilient wheel,"relatively movable axlefand tread un ts, apneinnatm tube,

means for connecting. said units, said connect'ingmeans having portionsresisted in their ,nioi ements by said pneumatic tube, anda bandinterposed between the pneu matie tube and, said bearing portions'of theconnecting means, said band including alternately arrangedpressureportions and flexihis connection portions.

6. In a resilient Wheel, relatively movable axle and tread units, apneumatic. tube, means for connecting saidunits, said eonneoting meanshaving portions resisted. in their movements by said pneumatic tube; anda band'interposed between the pneumatic tube and said bearing portionsof the connectingmeans, said band including alternately arrangedpressure portions and flexible connection portions, said connectingportlons of the band being provided with means i' plates to said anchorplates.

8. In a resilient wheel, a'tread unit provided with axially extendingsupports spaced from the. outer periphery oii'said tread unit,

a pneumatic tube extending circumterentrally between sa d supports and,the periphery-of said tread'unit, anchoring plates mounted; on said,supports, pressure plates arranged around charmer periphery of saidpneumatic tube and within the angular spaeesbaween'saia supports, meansfor connet-ting said pressure plates to said anchor-- inp,- plates, anaxle contactiru: unit, and means for inovably connecting said trend andaxle contacting units, said rouucrtiur means including portionsrmeintabl our: ing said pressure plates.

9. in a resilient wheel a tread uuil provided with an axially flattenedseat, a pucu matic tube having its outer periphery axial-- ly flattenedon said seat, a hand r rulin;,; around the inner periphery oi snupneumatic tube, said band comprising axially flattened pressure platesspaced peripherally and axially flattened connections or;- tendi'ngbetween said pressure plates, an axle contacting: unit, and means forconnecting said units, incliulinglevers pressure on said bearing plates.

10. In a resilient wheel, a tread unit pro vided with an axiallyflattened seat. a pneu lnatic tube having its outer periphery axiallyflattened on said seat, a band :-;tending around the inner )eriphery 02'said pneumatic tube, said band comprising: axially flattened pressureplates spaced pr ripherally and axially flattened connectionsextendingbetween said pressure plates. an axle contacting unit, andmeans for connec ing said units, including levers pressure on saidbearingplates, said pneumatic lube being provided with oppositelydisposed l ads on the inner wall of said tube in substantial radialalinement with each of said pressure plates.

11. Ina resilient wheel, relatively inorablo axle contacting and treadunits, one ol' "rid units being: rn'm'ided with a circuzm ferentia]seat. a pneumatic tube hearing against said scat. said pneiuualie tubebeiinij provided with bearing pads arranged in radial pairs on theinterim wall of said tube, and means for niovably conrnvting said units,said means hearing against said tube in the radial lines oi' said pads.

12. In a resilient wheel, relatively nun. able axle contacting and trendunits, :1 pncumatie tube seated on one o l said units, said pneumatictube havingl'luttcned portions. ineans inovubly connecting: said unitsand adapted to be count rarled in their mow lnents by said flattenedllfi'iillilhf, and pressure plates interposedbetween said [lath-an lportions and said units connecting means.

13. In a resilient wheel. relatively nu sable axle contacting: andtreznl units, a. pneumatic tube seated on one ()i aid units. saidpneumatic tube having" lationed i ii'ii1i!1:t. means moi ablyconnecting" said units and adapted to he rounteiau'tcd in their BMW-Inents by said flattened portions, and pres sure plates interposedbetween said flattened portions and said units connecting means, saidconnecting means roiuprisiaar levers pivotally mounted on one ol :nidwhec' units, and links plrotally connecting said levers to the other ofsaid wheel units, said levers having extensions bearing upon saidpressure plates.

14:. In a resilient wheel, axle contacting and tread units, a pneumatictube :for cushioning the relative movements between said wheel units,said tube being provided with flattened Jortions, a seat carried by oneof said whee units for supportably engaging said pneumatic tube,pressure plates in contact with the flattened portions of said tubeopposite to said seat, and links and levers inovably connecting saidwheel units, said levers havingbearing engagement with said pressureplates. l

.ln a resilient wheel, axle contacting and tread units, one of saidunits being prorided with a seat for supportably engaging a pneumatictube, a pneumatic tube bearinp; on said seat, angularly spaced pressureplates arranged around said pneumatic tube and opposite to said seat,links and levers movably connecting said units, said levers movablyengaging said pressure plates, anchor plates arranged adjacent thepivotal axes of said levers, and link mats flexibly connecting thepressure plates to said anchor plates and supportably engaging thepneun'iatic tube.

16. In a resilient wheel, axle contacting and tread units, one of saidunits being provided with a seat for supportably engaging a pneumatictube, a pneumatic tube bearing 011 said seat, angularly spaced pressureplates arranged around said pneumatic tube and opposite to said seat,links and levers movably connecting said units, said levers movablyengaging said pressure plates, anchor plates arranged adjacent thepivotal axes o'l said levers, and link mats flexibly connecting thepressure plates to said anchor plates and. supportably engaging thepneumatic tube, said pneumatic tube having its inner wall provided with.pairs of oppositely disposed.-

cushioning pads radially alined with respect to said pressure plates.

l7; A pneumatic tube comprising spaced deflection sections connected byinterposed anchoring sections, said deflection sections being providedwith flattened increased pressure areas adapted to be supported by theair pressure in said tube tor resisting pressure applied to saidpressure areas from without the tube.

lh. A pneiu'natic tube comprising a i-lEdfltS o spaced, deflectionsections inter-connected through a series of similarly spacedoomiuunicating sections, the said deflection sec' tions being adapted tobe deflected towards each other against the resistance of the airpressure in said. tube, and being provided with flexible pads on theinterior wall thereof, nominally out of contact with each other, buteoacting against each other under abnormal deflections, the length ofthe said pads being limited to said deflection sec tions oi the saidtube.

19. In a resilient wheel, ariin provided with a tread on its outerperiphery anda pneumatic tube seated against its inner peripheralsurface, an axle contacting unit, levers pivotally supported from saidrim and bearing against the wall of said pneumatic tube, and links forconnecting said levers to said axle contacting unit.

20. In a resilient wheel, a rim having inner peripheral surface adaptedto seat the outerperiphery of a pneumatic tube, a pneumatic tube havingits outer periphery seated thereon, brackets mounted on the innerperiphery of said rim and conforming;

to the outer periphery oi said pneumatic pivotally mounting said levers,said brackets having portions conforming to. the wall of said pneumatictube and by means of which said brackets are secured to said rim.

253. In a resilient Wheel, the combination. with a tread unit providedwith an inwardl y presented seat for a pneumatic tube, said seat havingportions thereot arranged nearer to the axis of said tread unit thanother portions, a pneumatic tube mounted on said seat. an axlecontacting unit movable relatively to said tread unit and links and.levers movably connecting said units, said levers (exertingpressure on.portions of said pneumatic tube disposed opposite to those portions ofthe seat which are arranged nearer to the axis of said tread unit.

23. In a resilient wheel, a rim gin'ovided with a tread, a cylindricalband extending around the inner periphery oi said rim, eircumiorentially spaced brackets mounted along one edge of the innerperipheral wall ot said cylindrical band, levers pivotally mounted onsaid brack and having; their hub portions spaced inwardly ron) saidcylindrical. band, said baud being provided. with-a seat For the outerperipl'iery oil a pneumatic tube, a pneumatic tube having: its outerperiphery bearing on said seat and its inner periphery anchored to saidbraclr ets, and resisting the movements oi said levers, an axlecontacting unit movable rel.- atively to said rim, links connecting saidaxle contacting unit to said'levers, and a cover plate abuttinglaterally against the lateral. edge of said cylindrical. band anddisposed medium extending, around said pneumatic tube.

25. in a resilient wheel, the combination with tread umt provided with.an inwardly presented seat for a pneumatic tube, a pneu- 15 natic tubemounted on said seat, an axle contacting unit movable relatively to saidtread unit, and means movably connecting said units, said tread unithai'i'ip; a sheet metal band having corrugations formed therein andextending around the inner cumt'erence of said tread unit to provide aventilated seat for said pneumatic tube.

26. In a resilient wheel, the combination with a tread unit provided.with an inwardly presented seat, a pneumatic tube mounted on said seat,an axle contacting unit movable relatively to said tread unit, and meals movably connectingsaid units, saic. wheel h a ving closed lateralwalls provided with ventilat ing openings in open communication withsaid cooling channels.

27. In a resilient wheel, relatively movable tread and axle contactingunits, means for movably connecting said wheel units, and resilientmeans for counteractino the relative movements between said units, saidconnecting means comprising levers pivotallv mounted on one of saidwheel units. and links pivotally connecting said lovers to the other ofsaid. wheel units, said levers being provided with portions extendingbeyond their pivotal connections *ith said links and bearing on saidresilient means.

28. In a resilient wheel, a tread unit. an

' axle contacting, unit, a pneumatic tube having ai'igularly spacedportions anchored to one of said. units, levers and links for mov ablyconnecting said units, said lovers exerting pressure on said pneumatictube intermediately of the anchored portions thereo'l and means mountedon the interior wall of said pneiunatic tube and iutcrmediately ol. saidanchored portions tor cushioning; the relative moven'ients of saidunits.

29. In a resilient wheel a tread. unit. a hub unit, a pneumatic tubehaving circuinterentially spaced portions anchored to one of said units,levers pivotally mounted on one of said units and exerting; pressure onsaid. pneumatic tube intormediately or said anchored portions, and linkspivotally connect ing said levers to the other of said units, saidpneumatic tube being provided with flattened pressure area portionsopposed to the thrust of said levers and elliptical cross sectionsbetween said increased pressure :irca portions and said anchoredportions.

30. in a resilient wheel, a tread unit. a hub unit, a pneumatic tubehaving circumlercntially spaced portions anchored to one of said units,levers pivotallv mouuicd on one of said units and exerting pressure onsaid pneumatic tube intermediately of said anchored portions, and linkspivoiullv connecting said lovers to the oth of said units. saidpneumatic tube being provided with flattened pressure area portionsopposed to the thrust of said levers and elliptical cross sectionsbetween said increased pressure :11 *a portions and said anchoredportions, said pneumatic tube being provided with axially extendedpressure plates interposed bcl'wccu it and said levers.

31. In a resilient wheel, relatively movablc hub and tread units, apneumatic tube har inp; contracted. portions circum l'creut ullv spacedtor anchoring it to one of said units, anchoring plates or shoesintcrcngaghm between said unit and said contracted portions, pressureplates or shoes mounted on said pneumatic tube intermcdiatoly of saidanchoring plates or shoes, said tube having flattened area portionscooperating with said pressure plates or shoes and elliptical. crosssections between said pressure plates or shoes and said anchoring platesor shoes, and links and levers for movably connecting said units, saidlevers bearing on said pressure plates or shoes.

32. In a resilient wheel, a rim provided with an outwardly prcsci'itcdtread, circumtcrentially spaced bcariu brackets mounted on and presentedinwardly from said rim. levers journalled in said luau-kids, a pneumatictube anchored to said tread unit adjacent the jourualling axes 0t saidlevers, said levers exerting pressure on said pneumatic tube. a hubunit, and links pivotally connected to said hub unit and lovers.

33. In a resilient wheel, a tread unit, circuuiierentially spacedbearingbrackets presentcd inwardly from said tread unit, leversjournalled in said brackets, a pneumatic tube anchored to said treadunit :uljaceut the joi'irnalling aXcs ot said lovers, said leversexerting pressure on said pneumatic tube, a hub unit, links pivotallyconnected to said hub unit and lovers, an horing: plates or shoesinterposed behveen said pneumatic tube and the hubs oi said levers. andmenus for spacing said anchoring plates or shoes from the hubs 01? saidlevers.

In a resilient wheel, a tread unit including a rim, circum'lerentiallyspaced bearing brackets presented inwru'dlv along one edge of said rim,laterally projecting pins mounted at one end in said bearing brackets,levers journalled on said pins, a pneumatic tube movable laterally intoand out of position between said levers and said rim, an

axle contacting unit, and links connecting said lovers to said axlecontacting unit.

35. In a resilient wheel, a tread unit including a rim, a pneumatic tubeseated on the inner circumference of said rim, circumferentially spacedbrackets projecting inwardly from said rim, pins mounted in said bearingbrackets, levers journalled on said pins, and bearing on the innerperiphery of said pneumatic tube, an axle contacting unit, and linksconnecting said levers to said axle contacting unit.

36. In a resilient wheel, a tread unit ineluding a rim, inwardlvpresented circumferentially spaced brackets mounted along one edge ofsaid rim, laterally projecting pins mounted in said bearing brackets,levers journalled on said pins, a pneumatic tube seated on the innercircumference of said rim between said levers and said rim, an axlecontacting unit, and links connecting said levers to said axlecontacting unit.

37. In a resilient wheel, a tread unit including an outer treadcontaining rim, in- Wardly presented bearing brackets circumferentiallyspaced adjacent one edge of said rim, laterally projecting pins mountedat one end in said bearing brackets, levers journalled on said pins, apneumatic tube substantially filling the space between said levers andsaid rim, an axle contacting unit, and links connecting said levers tosaid axle contacting unit.

38. In a resilient wheel an axle contacting unit having a closedcylindrical wall adj acent its axis, a tread unit having a closedcylindrical rim,means for forming a dust tight closure for one side ofthe annular .space formed between said cylindrical wall and rim, meansdisposed within said annular space for movably connectlng said wheel.units, a pneumatic tube disposed with in said annular space forcounteracting the relative movements between said wheel units, means forproviding for the circulation of air around said pneumatic tube, and acover fitting within the rim on its outer edge, said cover beingprovided with a hub cap comprising a plurality of walls with openingsforming air channels between said annular space and the outsideatmosphere.

39. A resilient wheel comprising an axle contacting unit, a tread unit,a pneumatic tube extending between said units, means articulatelyconnecting said units and'operated upon by said pneumatic tube, and aband interposed between said articulate connecting means and saidpneumatic tube, said band being flexible only along lines parallel tothe axes of said units.

40. In a resilient wheel, relatively movable axle contacting and treadunits, a pneu= matic tube for cushioning the relative movements betweensaid. units, and means movably connecting said units and bearing againstsaid pneumatic tube, said pneumatic tube being provided with cushioningmeans on the interior wall thereof and arranged to resist the pressureexerted by said connecting and bearing means upon said pneumatic tube. I

41. In a resilient wheel, a tread unit, an axle contacting unit, apneumatic tube, levers and links for movably connecting said units,said. levers bearing against said pneumatic tube, and cushioning meansmounted on the interior wall of said pneumatic tube for cushioning themovements of said levers during relative movements between said units.

MILTON l[. WESTON.

